Next Ranger to get Outboards?

[baz]

Ron: You are aware you can go slow even with an outboard engine, right ? It's probably not too good for the outboard for frequent and extended use this way, but nonetheless, it's an option.

 

[ixlr8]

Ron: You are aware you can go slow even with an outboard engine, right ? It's probably not too good for the outboard for frequent and extended use this way, but nonetheless, it's an option.

I have talked with two long time Yamaha mechanics, they both told me the F300 can idle for hours with no issues. One of them talked me out of buying a kicker as he felt it was just a waste of money as it wasn't needed. The old 2 cycle outboards did have issues with them loading up and needing to be cleared out. But the new 4 cycle fuel injected ones reportedly don't have those issues.

 

[dclagett]

Baz,

I was not talking about our size boats when I made a reference to a plush sofa. Many of the sports fishing boats out of Ocean City, Md are 50 to 70 foot. The outboard boats that run with them are 40 to 45 feet with 3 to 4 outboards each. I have talked to many of the big outboat boat owners and the way they run them in open ocean you either stand and hold on or sit in a bean bag. When a tournament is on they go no matter the weather. In some of the conditions they run in you and I would not leave the inlet in our size boat.

 

[dclagett]

Ron,

The reason some of the fishermen have moved to outboards they were missing happy hour. When one has to travel 100 miles to get to the fishing grounds, fish all day and then travel back happy hour was over. So they not only spent big bucks to fish but the drinks when they returned were normal price. 😀

 

[YukonRon]

Ron: You are aware you can go slow even with an outboard engine, right ? It's probably not too good for the outboard for frequent and extended use this way, but nonetheless, it's an option.

Yes, I know you CAN go slow with an outboard. Just like you can drive slowly through city traffic with a sports car. All the research I did indicated that going slow in a planing boat designed to go fast was not optimum for slow speed handling in ocean conditions. And cruising at 8 knots all day with a 300 plus horsepower off-shore outboard is not what it is designed to do.
Now, I don't have experience with the new RT hull designs, so can't speak to how they handle; but I DO know that an inboard diesel in a semi-displacement hull has been a tried-and-true combination for coastal cruising for longer than I've been around.

 

[YukonRon]

Ron,
So they not only spent big bucks to fish but the drinks when they returned were normal price. 😀

Sometimes there's a price to pay when we choose to stop and smell the roses along the way. :lol:

 

[baz]

Ron: You are aware you can go slow even with an outboard engine, right ? It's probably not too good for the outboard for frequent and extended use this way, but nonetheless, it's an option.

I have talked with two long time Yamaha mechanics, they both told me the F300 can idle for hours with no issues. One of them talked me out of buying a kicker as he felt it was just a waste of money as it wasn't needed. The old 2 cycle outboards did have issues with them loading up and needing to be cleared out. But the new 4 cycle fuel injected ones reportedly don't have those issues.

Jim: That's comforting. Nonetheless (or regardless), if I want to go slow I really will not worry about the extended use of low RPM aspect on the engine. The only reason I brought it up was that the Yamaha Regional Rep at the recent Roche Harbour meeting last September mentioned he just liked running the F300 at top speed and got a bit annoyed with customers bringing their F300s in for some weird issue only to find they had been using the engine at low RPMs for long periods of time. The implication I came away with was that this aspect was detrimental to the engine running well without issues.

When you take the F300 in for maintenance you can request the service agent to run a diagnostic program (Data Logger) that will pull up the history for the engine's use and show hours of use at various RPMs. I did this for my first service and it was interesting reading. 😀

Here's what I had

1000 or less - 11.7 hrs
1000-2000 - 4.9 hrs
2000-3000 - 1.3 hrs
3000-4000 - 2.9 hrs
4000-5000 - 8.7 hrs
5000-6000 - 2.4 hrs
6000-7000 - 0 hrs
Total engine hours = 31

Since having the boat in my hot little hands since Aug 16 I suspect the 1000 RPM or less 11.7 hrs was for the 2-day training for the first week and me messing around (three local crabbing trips) after that. The 4000-6000 RPM for 11.6 hrs was quite likely due to my Maiden Voyage and the cruise to Poulsbo and up to Roche and back to Edmonds. The data showed the engine had been driven for 358 miles.

 

[baz]

...snip...
Now, I don't have experience with the new RT hull designs, so can't speak to how they handle; but I DO know that an inboard diesel in a semi-displacement hull has been a tried-and-true combination for coastal cruising for longer than I've been around.

I've had the chance to compare our previous R-25 (Classic) and our new R-27/OB in varying sea conditions, and if you ask me there little difference in the way they handle for the speed range of 8 to 12 kts. Both are comfortable (and both can be bumpy for sure) for us. My comparison is maybe off some as the R-27/OB is longer and heavier than the R-25 (Classic). I can tell you that the R-27/OB cuts into oncoming waves much better than did the R-25. 🙂 😛

 

[S. Todd]

When I compare the R25SC to the outboards, if you look at overall length, there is almost no difference between the R23 and the R25. The price with similar equipment puts the R23 just about $10,000 less than what we paid for our 2015 R25SC. I think it is a real stretch when Fluid Motion says there is a private head with shower in the R23 (I am pretty certain we would have kept our Sea Ray 240 Sundancer if the R23 was our option). Barry might be right that his R27OB is a close to fair comparison to his R25 classic but it is significantly more money than the R25SC and is way too long for our garage. I toyed with the idea of a Rosborough 245 when we were shopping because they have had a similar style boat with outboards for years and I have no opposition to outboards (especially Mercs because I can get those serviced locally). We decided years ago, after looking at Nordic Tugs, that when we decided to slow down we wanted a tug. Nordic Tugs discontinued their 26 footer for awhile and Ranger filled the gap and developed a strong following. The roof rack for the bike and SUP while the tender stayed on its davits made the Ranger Tug a perfect boat for our excursions. I for one hope they do not permanently vacate that aspect of the market, but Nordic Tugs did bring back their 26 and I suspect if Fluid Motion vacates the inboard diesel pocket trawler market, some enterprising company will fill the gap. But will there ever be such a helpful bunch of tugnutters? - I doubt it.

 

[baz]

Geesh... I was unaware that Nordic had a 26-foot tug. The price new (stock) is up around $260K. It sure has the Classic styling. Looking at the forward berth I have a hard time seeing that two adults can sleep there in any comfort. Maybe one for sure and the other would need the cabin berth IMO.

I do like the 2nd story above for lounging at times.

It's engine appears to be somewhat hidden.... but seeing it for real might dispel that.

The 9.5 foot beam is nice. 🙂

It's a real tug.

My feeling at this time is that I would feel claustrophobic inside the Nordic compared to my R-27/OB.

 

[REO6205]

Barry...
I delivered an older...mid-80s...Nordic 26 a couple of weeks ago. San Francisco to Hood River Oregon. They're a good little boat and there wasn't any time that I got a feeling of claustrophobia. Lots of big windows.

While I was waiting for the broker to get the boat ready I toured one of the new 26s. Very nice. I asked the dealer if they had any plans to offer an outboard model and I don't think the censor here will let me quote his reply.

Maybe having the big doors on both side of the helm helps too. When the weather was decent I ran with both doors open.
I slept aboard every night of the trip and the bunk was cozy but not confining. The wife went with me and she couldn't find much to complain about.

The only drawback was a fairly small fuel tank and having to make extra stops because of it. On coastal voyages this time of the year I like to see the fuel above a half a tank all the time.

 

[baz]

I will be going to the Seattle Boat Show in Jan 2018 so will certainly take a look at the 26-foot Nordic. It sure looks like a very sturdy and sea-worthy boat. Styling-wise it kinda looks very Victorian-Like inside with a touch of some modern amenities. 🙂 Kinda of like a smoking room with soft sofa and seating around. 😱

As an aside, I note that the first 26-foot Nordic Tug was contrived/thought of by a Mr Husted when in Woodinville located somewhat NE of Seattle. I actually lived in Woodinville from 1977 to around 2011. So, I do have some connection of sorts to the 26-foot boat, right ?

Apparently from my research, the first 26-foot Nordic was shown at the Seattle Boat show in 1980 for a purchase price of $29,900.... "was powered by a three-cylinder, 36hp Volvo diesel so efficient that Husted bragged it could run the 600 miles from Seattle to Ketchikan, Alaska, without stopping to refill its 50-gallon fuel tank. It cruised at about 6-1/2 knots, using about 2 quarts of fuel an hour." Now that's fuel efficiency for you. :lol:

 

[captstu]

" I would talk to Sergio Miguel Technical Manager at Mase in Florida. His phone number is 754-703-5153."

Sergio just called - he was able to find the necessary parts for my Mace 2.5 for $1600. About twice the price of a Honda . . .

The generator is being installed this weekend.

I'm not sure I'm happy with the money since the genset, but Diesel is clearly safer than gasoline in an already Diesel boat.

Sergio is a wonderful resource, but he isn't magic - the parts are no longer generally available. /Stu

 

[Brian B]

I was on a couple of new Nordic tugs at the Newport RI Boat Show in Sept., they are very impressive boats. The 26' is advertised as trailerable but the beam will require wide load permits. The 32' has been replaced with the 34'. Looking at used Nordics on the market they certainly hold their value. The older ones were built with Cummins engines, I saw one in MA that had a Yanmar 6BY and now the new ones are equipped with Volvo's. It wouldn't surprise me if RT owners who want a larger boat, a traditional looking tug and cruiser start looking closely at the Nordic line up.

 

[BB marine]

There are only a few manufactures out there that make diesel powered pocket trawlers. Ranger/Cutwater, Nordic, North Pacific 28 pilot house, Atlas Boat works ( they just introduced an outboard model too), Shamrock ( they make a pilot house Its fast)!, It is a small market. These manufactures have an exclusive market for these style boats. Inboard's have been around for ever and there is pro's and cons to them but the design and functionality is proven. When we were looking for a boat to do the Loop in I wanted a trailerable boat ,preferred diesel inboard, the boat needed to have comfortable amenities, good sea handling, and fuel economy. The choices were very limited. Speed was a plus but not a deal breaker,I enjoy cruising slow but I like to have the ability to cruise at higher speeds. If I wanted a gas powered boat stern drive or outboard the sky is the limit. Stern drives in the 80' 90's were the most popular you couldn't give an outboard away. The only boaters that bought outboards were fisherman. I like outboards, I worked on them for years and owned them too. I was a Boston Whaler fan and owned several. Now outboards are strong in the market and increasing in numbers. Runabouts , cruisers, pocket trawlers, motor yachts. In a few years it will be just like the stern drive market of past, full of Sea Rays, Chaparrals,Bayliners,Regals, Rangers,Cutwaters........with outboards.Well known boat manufacturers resale will be ok and on less market known resale will suffer. Market competition will be present and manufactures will be building boats cheaper(construction wise) to compete. Its a cycle the highs and lows of the marine industry. The inboard Market just runs a straight line. Sales might swing with the economy slightly but there is that niche market of boaters that want the traditional inboard. I believe that is what Ranger and Cutwater had (have!) Production numbers low, quality high, competition low ,good profit margins maintained and a product with good resale value. I hope they maintain that niche and stay the company that so many of you praise. Quality with good customer service. My prediction is the next Ranger has a IPS drive ! They are great for handling and very popular, Just a glorified stern drive Though. Give me a shaft, shaft log ,cutlass, and a rudder ,its traditional and proven!
Brian Brown
Cutwater 26
PORT-A-GEE

 

[baz]

I have reviewed the various photos of the Nordic 26-foot and I quite like it. When and if I want to go slower I will give it consideration... and look at good used ones. 🙂

 

[Brian B]

How about a diesel outboard? Yanmar is partnered with this company.
https://www.neander-shark.com/en/motore ... utboarder/